Vera Van Wagner

BIOGRAPHY

Vera Van Wagner was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA, on 24 May 1904, to parents Charles John Schrauth Jr. (1881–1958) and Anna Marie Daum (1888–1952). She grew up in New York City with three much older siblings and parents who ran an ice cream and sweet shop in Newburgh before opening a second location in Poughkeepsie.

In 1933, she married Thurlow Weed Van Wagner (1903–1997). Her husband was a member of the Reformed Church, and together they settled into a Craftsman-style house in Poughkeepsie that they had a carpenter build.

Though they had no children of their own, Vera and her husband were deeply involved in the lives of their five nephews, as well as their spouses and children. They enjoyed fishing together and took pride in their work—he as a plumber, and she at Vassar College.

Vera’s personal passions included playing the piano, gardening, and caring for birds, both wild and tame. She often nursed injured birds back to health and doted on her own cockatiel, Peewee. Even after her husband’s passing, Vera remained in their home until around 2011, when the family decided it was time for her to move to the Baptist Home.

Vera Van Wagner passed away at the Baptist Home at Brookmeade in Rhinebeck, New York, on 8 September 2017, at the age of 113 years, 107 days.

RECOGNITION

Van Wagner’s age was verified by Jimmy Lindberg, Marco Wikkerink, and was validated by the GRG on 4 November 2015.

On 12 May 2016, following the passing of Susannah Mushatt Jones, she became the oldest living person in the state of New York. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Alelia Murphy.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Q&A: Supercentenarian Vera Van Wagner On Living to a Really Ripe Old Age, Marrying the Love of Her Life, and Waiting For a Big Birthday Bash” – Hudson Valley Magazine, 5 May 2015

* “Vera Van Wagner, oldest Dutchess County and New York state resident, dies at age 113” – Daily Freeman, 8 September 2017

* Vera P. Schrauth Van Wagner – Find A Grave

GALLERY

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